Welsh Country - Issue88 - May - Jun 19

There were rebellions, with brutal attacks and brutal
reprisals. But only unity could effectively confront the
invaders and Gwenllian was the means by which just such
an alliance between north and south was briefly created.
Gwenllian was the youngest daughter of Gruffudd ap
Cynan, the king of Gwynedd and she married Gruffudd
ap Rhys, the son of Rhys ap Tewdur, king of Deheubarth,
in modern-day Carmarthenshire. It was a political alliance
but also, so legend has it, a love match too. She was born
on Anglesey at Aberffraw in 1097 and spent much of her
childhood in political exile in Ireland. She was born into
politics, into a family of Vikings and Irish kings. There are
those who believe that she was a tomboy, with long blonde
ringlets, who joined with her brothers in military training.
Of course this is complete conjecture, fanciful myth-making
that goes way beyond the historical record. No one can ever
know.
But over time, the myth of Gwenllian has been enriched
by so many romantic images. They say she eloped with her
lover, the charismatic Gruffudd ap Rhys, after he travelled
north to meet her father. This part might be a romantic
embellishment but it was certainly a politically astute union,
bringing together north and south.
They lived initially at the family home in Dinefwr and they
had to fight to maintain their position. Gruffudd ap Rhys’
success and reputation
grew in.attacks
on Carmarthen
and Kidwelly,
especially
“
Her name became a rallying
cry throughout the great
rebellion of 1136. “Revenge for
Gwenllian” was a chant that
accompanied the sacking of
Aberystwyth castle by troops
lead by her brothers.
”
since he re-distributed the wealth within the towns to the
local people. But a serious defeat at Plas Crug just outside
Aberystwyth sent the family into hiding in the hills and the
forests.
The unexpected death of Henry 1 in 1135 brought about
a confused and chaotic succession. Would it be Stephen or
Matilda? The response to this in Wales was the great revolt
of 1136.
It began in the south with the defeat of the Normans
at Penllergaer, on the edge of Gower, and it soon spread
throughout Wales. Perhaps this was the moment they had
been waiting for, when they could drive out the invaders.
Gruffudd went north to meet with his father-in -law
to plan their strategy, leaving Gwenllian behind. At this
moment, reinforcements for the Norman troops in
Kidwelly Castle under Maurice de Londres, landed in
Glamorgan and advanced westwards.
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